Vehicle-spring.



I'VI. C. KRARUP.

` VEHICLE SPRING. y APPLICATION FILED JAII.27. |913.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

'BI-.'IIIIMIIIIIM Manaus o. kunnen or NEW Yoann. Y. VEHICLE-sparire.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rammed am'. av, i915.

Applicationfiled January 27, 1913. VSerial No. 744,333.

T0 all whom, it may concern.'

Be it known that I, MARIUS C. KRARUP, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Springs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had tolthe accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof. l

My invention relates to improvements in vehicle springs and especially to a spring suspension which is applicable to motor trucks and the like and its object is to provide a simple device of this character by means of which the effect of the spring is varied by changes in load so that the proper resiliencyvis provided'for the vehicle when itis empty or loaded.

Other objects of theinvention will appear in the following specification in which the invention will bedescribed, the novel features of which I will set forth in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of an apparatus which embodies my invention and ofenough of the bod of a vehicle illustrated to show how the device is applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the axle of the vehicle with certain of the parts of my novel mechanism shown in section. A detail of construction is shown in Fig. 4 which is a transverse section on the line A4 4 of 2. A modified form of construction is shown in side elevation in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 7 a sectional plan view, both on an enlarged scale, of one of the com pression spring elements which are shown in some of the preceding gures. The section in Fig. 7 istaken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6. A modified form of spring element is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 in sectional elevation and sectional planview respectively.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

l0 designates the frame of avehicle such as a motor truck, to which the device is applied.

l1 is a transverse member allixed'to and forming apart of this frame. On it are rigidly supported a pair of brackets such as 12 on which are supported the radius rods such as 20. The connection-between each spindle which l between them may bracket and its respective radius rod is made by a bolt 13 passing through the radius rod near its end and through two parallel ears of a member 14 which has a. cylindrical passes through the bracket 12 and isl held thereon by a nut 15. This construction provides a pivotal support for the radius rod which allows it to swing up and down and to rotate in a plane at right angles to the pin 13.

The vehicles axle 21'passes through the ra.

dius rod and is connected therewith by some suoli arrangement las that shown in Fig. 3 in which 22 is a flanged collar on the axle and 23 are bolts aflixing the radius rod to the flange thereof. This arrangement permits the axle to move up and down rela.- tively to .the frame of the vehicle and also allows one end of the axle to move up without corresponding movement of its other end or with' an opposite movement of its other end. A collar 24 having a spherically curved outer surface is held upon the flanged collar 22 by nuts 25. flat parallel connecting bars 30 are cupped to surround this collar 24. These bars are connected togetherl by bolts 31 passing through metallic spacing washers 32 and be .,inserted a larger washer 33 ofl felt or the like. Thus the connecting bars are pivotally connected with the axle and with the radius rod and are also allowed a limited amount'of swinging movement at right angles to the axis of the axle. Abolt 34 passes through the connecting bars near their other ends and through a link 35, the other end of which is pivotally supported at 36 cna bracket 37 aflixed to the vehicle frame l0. The link 35 holds the bars 30 the required distance apart.

In the bars 30 are slots 38 which are at an angle to the line connecting the pivotal points near the ends of the bars `and are parallel with the part 39 of the upper edges of these bars. vBetween the bars is a slidable block 40 of T-shaped cross section, the upper anges of which ride upon the surfaces 39. 41 is a cylindrical member which lits in a hole in/block 40 and from the ends/ of which project trunnion-like pins 42 which extend through theslots 38 and through the The ends of a pair of ends of a pair of suspension bars 43 outside y of connecting bars 30. This forms a slidable pivotal connection-between one end of connecting bars v; that the edges 39 be parallel tothe slots unless they are to assist in guiding the block 40 as in the arrangement shown in the draw.

ings. In fact the block may be omitted entirely but is preferably used in order to relieve the pivot pins 42 and the slots from excessive wear. The other ends bf the suspension bars'are pivotally supported at 44 in a bracket 45 affixed to frame 10 at a oint between the transverse member 11 an the bracket 37.

47 is an equalizer bar pivotally connected with the suspension bars at 48. To it are connected the ends of compression spring elements 50, the other ends of which are connected with brackets 16 on the frame 10. Four of these are shown in Fig. 2 but in Fig. 1 only one is shown, the others being omitted from this figure for thesake of clearness.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, I will describe the construction of one form of these compressionspring elements. In these figures, 51 is a hollow cylindrical casing provided with a head 52 from which centrally extends a ring 53. From the other end of this casing an interrupted flange 54 projects inwardly. Against the inner surface of the head 52 islthe 'circular fiange 55 of an inner member from the center of which depends a hollow cylindrical post 56. 57 is an interrupted flange which projects inwardly from the lower end of this post. 58 is a spindle which projects into the post 56 and has lugs 59 extending from its diametricallyopposite sides over the flange 57. The lower end of this spindle is of square cross section. On the other end of this spindle is a circular head 60 from which centrally extends a ring 61. 62 is another hollow cylindrical casing on one end of which is a head 63 in the center of which is a hole through which the spindle 58 passes freely. From .the upper edges of this casing projects outwardly an interrupted flange 64. Helical compression springs 65 and 66 of different sizes of wire and preferably of opposite pitch, are placed between the flange 55 and the head (S3-both of which may be provided as shown, with-annularshoulders for maintaining the springs in axial alinement. The flanges 54 and 64 are interrupted so that one maybe passed within the other when one of the casings is rotated a quarter of a revolution relatively to the other. Then when turned back again into the positions shown in the drawings they lock the casings 51 and 62 together. Similarly the lugs 59 may be passed by the interrupted portions of flange 57 whenl turned at right angles to the position in which the spmdle 1s shown in the sional stralns which so readily changes or destroys their resiliency.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the same result is obtained. In this case the ring 53A is on a plate or disk 52A under which -is the member which comprises the flange 55 and the hollow cylindrical post 56 with an inturned flange 57A. Into this post extends a spindle 58A rovided with a head 59^ which engage the ange 57A. This spindle is of square cross section through a portion of its length, but its lower end is round and threaded into a shackle 67, which forms the ring 61A. This shackle is seated in a counter-sunk hole in the center of a circular head or disk 60A. l

63A is a disk in the center of which is a square hole through which the spindle 58A passes freely. At either side of this hole are others through which are inserted tubes 68, 68 the lower ends of which are flanged outwardly as at 69 and the upperv ends of which have inwardly extending flanges 70. Bolts 71 pass through these tubes and through the disk 52A. The heads of these bolts are under the flanges 7 0 and on their other ends are nuts 72 which if desired may be seated in recessesin the upper surface of the disk 52A to prevent them from turning or they may be held in place by pins 73. Between the flange 55 and the disk 63A are interposed the compression springs 65, 66. This form of spring element is to be used in substantially the same way as that shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is used and operates in substantially the same manner.

Referring now to Figs. l and 2 and before specifically describin the modification illustrated in Fig. 5, will point out the operation of my invention. It is obvious that the weight of the vehicle frame 10 is sustained by the axle 21 through the spring elements 50 and the leverage system shown and described. When there is no load upon the vehicle the parts may assume the relative ositions in which.they are shown in full lines in Fig. 2. It may be seen that the pressure upon the spring elements is exerted by them upon the axle at a certain distance therefrom. This may be so designed as to give the desired sensitiveness to the spring action to cause the. light vehicley to ride easily.

When the pressure between the vehicle frame and its axle is increased by a sudden 'lil ' one t0n truck andfor itl@ 'energien `bars-43 and the connecting bars'30. n other words the leverage is automatically cha ed by' vari-ations in load on the-vehicle.A With a load on the vehicle, the spring elements are not only compressed to a greater extent, but 'their pressure becomes applied at a point'which is more effective to resist jars. Thus `a vehicle lwith this apparatus applied isprovided witha spring which is edective` with wide variations in load. By this means the riding qualities of a vehicle are rendered independent of'the load carried by it within the limits -for which the vehicle is designed and are ,very materially improved for light loads'. `Itis furthermore possible to provide the same spring 'apparatus' for a a six tontruck', instead of providing an entire dierent spring mechanism for each as has heretofore been necessary. p

4vThe'bars 2'0, 30 and `lfare made ofdat steel of such Acompositionl and'temper as to combine toughness'under all circumstances with perfect resiliency after moderatedelection's, and e-Eectively cushion all "side strains. The connections are such that no undue mechanical strains'can come upon Vthe mechanism. llf there isa tendency for the sliding block 40 to return too slowly to its initial position, th-is may be counteracted by placing. a tension spring 26 between it and the'bolt 341. g

The number of 'spring elements maybe varied with different trucks, or with the same truck when it is to be used fordifen ent kinds of'traiiic. They are so made that they effectively resist tensional as well as compression strains without any tensional strains on the helical springs themselves.

There are several elements which enter into the resultant variation in 4edective spring pressure on the axle, each 'of which may be more or less adjusted and predetermined in order'that the vehicle may be best adapted to carry the loads'for which it is intended. For example, each of the slots 38 maybe arrangedfparallel to a line-connecting the two pivotalV points near the respective ends of the. bars 3() and the point 34 may be arranged' to move only in a substan'tially horizontal direction. Tn this case the eective spring pressure will depend `di rectly upon the di'erence inthe lever arms as the 'axle moves toward and the vehicle bodyand the end of the suspension bar is izer bar-may be omitted and the connected directly with i Such .an-arrangement fpiv'oted' at a 'diderent intermediate position in the'bars 30.' `Byarranging the slot at an angle to the line of the bar as shown in Fig. 2.="the leverage'eliect isincreased. IThe in- -clinationand shape of the slot -may obvi- `ously ybevar-ied to suit anticipated -loadfconditions The fact that the point 34, Ainstef'utl of moving horizontally, swings around fthe pivot 36 .and is consequentlyraised'toward the vehicle body, serves as an additional element to' increase the spring -pressure more rapidly as the axle approaches-the vehicle body. This element may readily be adjusted and predetermined by varying either the initial inclination of `vthe link 35 or its length.

@facoursev there need be but one spring element'O Abetween the vehicle frame and the suspension bar, in vwhich casethere is no need of-an equalizer bar such as 47. It is also apparent that even with a plurality of compression spring elements, the equallower ends of these elements the suspension bars. is illustrated in Fig. 5 in which the suspension bar 43A and` connecting bars 30A are of `somewhat dilferent shape thanth-ose previously described and in which they are con# nected together by'a link l27 instead of-a slidable connection. This spring arrangement has certain advantages `over the arrangement of IFig. 2 because it is possible to secure a wide adjustment of the resultant spring action' by suitably setting the initial compression of each spring. yThe operation ofthisform of myinvention'is similar to that before described. fllt is feasible to use any of the well known s of shock absorbers in conjunction with the mechanism herein 4described and it is'also well within the scope ofv this/invention to use air Vcushions as the resilient members of the'apparatus.

' Tt is obvious that the resilient members sustain the varying pressures between the vehicle frame and the axle whether such pressures be positive and actual or negative and in the form of tensional strains. Althoughftheform of resilient member which I use becomes compressed when subjected to ico either pressure or tension theexpression in the claims pressures between the frame and axle is intended-'to be construed to cover negative pressures or tensional strains.`

What T clai-m is:

'1. A vehicle frame, an `raxle therefor, a resilient member at a lixed point yon said 'frame arranged to sustain pressures between the frame and axle, a bar on which said member acts, said bar being supported on thefraine and arranged to be moved au# tomatically relative to the resilient member in a-'planeat right anglesto the direction the bar arranged to give saidbar a .ofthe resiliency ofsaid; member by therelative movement of, the axle toward. and from J3. A, vehicle frame, anaxle .therefrom-Ja compression spring element at a lixed'point on said frame arrangedto sustain pressures between-the frame and axle, andaI baron vwhich saidelement acts, said bar being' supported on the frame and arranged to be moved automatically longitudinallyl relative to said. element by; the relative. -movement of the axle toward and from the frame.

'4. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a re.-A

silent 2 member` at a fixed, point on .said frame arranged to sustain pressures between the frame and axle, a connecting bar, .a suspension bar pivoted atone end to the vehicle frame, a movable connection between the other end of the ,suspens1on bar andjsaid I silient member at a fixed point on said connecting bar, said resilient member bein interposed between the vehicle ,framean the suspension bar and-means for moving the connecting bar longitudinallyin'grelation tothe suspension bar. f 2 5. A. vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a`v reframe arranged to sustain pressures between the frame and axle, a connecting bar,`a,suspen sion bar pivoted at one' end to the vehicle frame', a movable connection between -;the other end of the suspension ,bar-and said connecting bar,\said resilient member being interposed between the 'vehicle frame and the suspension bar intermediate the ends of the suspension bar and a swinging support `for the connectingba'r whereby it'sposition is shifted automatically in a longitudinal direction in relation to the suspension bar.

6. A vehicle frame, anaxle therefor, a plurality of resilient members arranged to sustain pressures between the frame and the axle, a bar` on which said members act, means for automatically shifting the relative positions of the resilient members` and the bar, and means for equalizing the pressures upon said members. 7.- A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a plurality of resilient members at fixed points on said frame arranged to sustain pressures between the frame and axle, a bar' on Awhich said members act4 in a substantially vertical direction, said bar being supported on the' vehicle frame to have a longitudinal movement lin a substantially horizontal direction and means for equalizing the pressures upon said members.

.8. A vehicle .frame',an axle therefor, a

ber, a-suspension har, pivoted at one .end'to ,thevehicle frame, a movable connectionbe- .tween ,the other end 'of -the suspension bar and, Said connecting bar,l an e ualizinglbar cpnneetedwith the suspension.I armsaidresilientmembers being connected with lsaid equahzmg bemand means f91'. .m0v"ms' the @www.lorsiwdnauxnemiono thefsuspension bar.,

tween the other' end .of the Ysuspension i bar` ,andsaid connecting bar, an equali'mingbar .p1votally connected withthe suspension bar intermediate the of said ,suspension bar, saidresilient members bein'gconnected Awith the equalizing bar, and a 'swingingisupport fort the connecting bar whereby its position is-shifted automatically.V in a longitudinal direction in relation to the suspension bar. 10. Ayvehicle frame, an axle therefor, a radius rod pivoted to the frame andsupported by the axle, a connecting banconnected at one end `with the radius rodancl swingingly connected atrits other end with sani frame, and a resilient member at a fixed pointon the frame having a movable con- .nection with the connectingr bar. .v

l`-IL A vehicle-frame, an axle therefor, a radius rod pivoted to the frame and sup- .portmg the axle, the support for said rod being provided Iwith means for permitting a turning movement thereof a direction'at right angles to its movement about its pivot, a connecting bar connected at one end with the `radius rod and. swingingly connected at its other end with said frame, and a resilient member at a fixed point on the .rlrelityof resilestlmember atxsd reims i 'i isn .Seid trame arranged .t0 Sustain Dressers@ between ,the-inward'. exile. ,e connecting frame having a movable connection withthe connecting bar.

12. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a radius /rod pivoted to the frame and supporting the axle, a connecting bar connected at one endl with the radius rod and swingingly connected at its other end with said frame, a suspension bar pivoted at one end to the vehicle frame, a movable connection between the other end of the suspension bar and said connecting bar, and a .resilient member interposed between the vehicle frame and Said Suspension bar.

13.- A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a radius rod pivoted vto the frame and supporting the axle, a connecting bar connected at one end with the radius rod and swingingly connected at its other endvwith said frame, a suspension bar pivoted at one end to the vehicle frame, a movable connection and -said' connectingl bar, a plurality 'off' 11e-v silient, members interposed` between` the vehiclel framel and said suspension bar-,f and between the othef'end,oflthe-fsuspensitn-im;

141-. A vehicle frame, radius rod pivotedto the frameand lsupporting Athe axle,' a connectingv bar 'connected at one end with the radius rodand' swingingly connectedl at its other end"with said frame, a suspension ba? pivotcd at one end to the vehicle frame, a V.lblockslidably supported on said connecting bar, a connection between the other end ofthe suspension. bar and saidl block, and a compression spring element connected withthesuspension bar intermediate itsends'l and with. the vehicle frame. e f

15; A` vehicleframe, an axle therefor, ay radius rod pivoted to the frame and supporting the axle, a connecting bar connect# edat. one end with the radius rod and swingingly connected at its other end with said frame,a suspension bar pivoted at one end to the vehicle frame, a block slidably supportedon said connecting bar, a connection betweenlthe other'end of the suspension bar and said block, a compensating bar-pivotally mounted upon the suspension bar intermediate its ends, and a plurality of compression spring elements connected with the vehicle frame andsaid compensating bar.

16. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor,- interconnected levers between the frame and its axle, and a resilient member arranged to sustain pressures between the frame and its axle, said levers being arranged tovautomatically change their relative positions to thereby shift the point of action of the resilient member, said levers being constructed of flat spring metal and adapted to cushion side strains between the vehicle frame and its axle.

17. A vehicle frame, resilient member at a frame,

an axle therefor, a fixed point on said arranged to sustain pressures between the frame and axle, a bar on which said member acts, said bar beingsupported on the frame to have a movement relative to the resilient member in a plane at right angles to the direction of its resiliency, said bar being constructed of ila-t spring metal and adapted to cushion side strains between the vehicle frame and its axle.

18. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a resilient member at a lixed point on said frame arranged to sustain pressures between the frame and axle, a connecting bar, a suspension bar pivoted at one end to the vehicle frame, the other end of thesuspension'bar and said connecting bar, said resilient member be-l ing interposed between the vehicle frame and the suspension bar, and means for moving an axle; therefor, a'A

' porting vthe axle,

l a connecting bar a movable connection between a compression bar pivoted ther connecting Vbar'l,o ngitudinally-fin relationtothe suspension bar,- 4` sa'id=bare being con-y lstructed-'of flat spring-metal and'adapted tofl cushion l"side strains means for equal'zing the vpressures 1 1pon's'aid1 members. v

betweenl the vehicle point on the frame having a movable con-v v nection with the connecting bar, said radius rod and bars being constructed of fiat spring metal and adapted to cushion side strains between the vehicle frame and'itsaxle.

' 20.*A vehicle frame, an axle therefor,V a radius rodpivoted to the frame and supthe supports for said rod" being provided with means for permitting a turning movement thereof in a'direction at right angles to its movement about its pivot, connected at one end with the radius rod'and swingingly connected at itslother end with said frame, and a resilient member at a fixed point on the frame having a movable4 connection with the connecting bar, said lradius rod and bars being constructed of flat spring metal and adapted to cushion side strains between the vehicle frame and its axle.

2l. A vehicle frame, radius rod pivoted tothe frame and supporting the axle, a connecting bar connected at one end with the radius rod and swingingly connected at its other end with said frame, a suspension bar pivoted at one end'to the vehicle frame, a block slidably supported on said connecting bar, a connection between the other end of the suspension bar and said block, a compensating bar pivotally mounted upon the suspension bar intermediate its ends, and a plurality of compression spring elements connected with the vehicle frame and said compensating bar, said radius rod, connecting bar and suspension bar being constructed of flat spring metal and adapted to cushion side strains between the vehicle frame and its axle.

22. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a resilient member between theframe and the axle, and a slidable connection adapted. to be moved at right angles to the direction of resiliency of said element by the relative movement of the axle toward and away froml the frame, Vsaid connection by its movement being arranged to vary the effect of the resilient element.

23. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a resilient element at a fixed point on said frame arranged to be com ressed by relative movements of the rame and axle toward or from each other, a connecting bar, at one end of the vehicle frame, a movable connection between an axle therefor, a

the otheg end of the' suspension bar and said connecti (g bar, said resilient element being1 yinterpose between the vehicle frame an the suspension bar intermediate the ends of the suspension vbar and a swinging support for the connecting bar whereby its position 'is shifted automatically in a longltudinal direction in relation to the suspenslon bar.

24. A vehicle frame, an ax e therefor, a Elurality of compression spring elements at xed points on said frame arranged to be' com ressed by relative movements between the rame and axle, a connecting bar, a suspension bar pivoted at .one end to thev vehicle frame, a movable connection between the other end of the suspension bar and said connecting bar, an equalizing bar connected with the suspension bar, said compression spring elementsbeing connected wlth said equallzing bar, and means for moving the connecting bar longitudinally in relation to the sus ension bar. Y 25. vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a resilient member, a bar on which said member acts in'a substantially vertical direction and means dependent u on'relative movements of the frame an axle toward and away from each other for automatically shifting the relative positions of the resilient member and the bar in a substantially horizontal direction. e

26. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a

1 mames resilient element at a lixed point on -said frame, a bar on which said element acts said barbeing supported on the frame an arranged to be moved automatically relative to the resilient element at right angles to the direction of its resilienc b relative movements ,of the frame andy axle toward and from each other.

27. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a compression spring element at a fixed point on said frame, a bar on which said element acts, said bar being supported on the frame and arranged to be moved automatically longitudinally relative to said element by relative movements of the frame and axle toward and from each other.

28. A vehicle frame, an axle therefor, a plurality of resilient elements, a bar on which said elements act, means dependent 'upon a relative movement of the frame and axle toward or from each other for automatically shifting the relative positions of the resilient elements and the bar and means for equalizing the pressures upon said elements.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 25 daof January, 1913.

MA IUS C. KRARUP.

Witnesses:

F. GRAVES, B. J. DnAnBoRN. 

